Cup king Marc Wilson just can't lose!

Marc Wilson has played in 14 games in the FA Cup and never lost even once

Stoke’s Republic of Ireland star boasts an FA Cup record which is unmatched in the game.

He has played in 14 games in the competition and never lost even once. Had Wilson been playing for Portsmouth in the final last May, rather than missing through injury, it is a fair bet they would probably have beaten Chelsea – such is his lucky touch.

Missing out on Wembley, though, was a heartbreaking way of preserving an astonishing record. The 23-year-old has a tattoo on his right arm which reads ‘Good Luck’ in Chinese and it seems to have paid off in his FA Cup runs.

And now he looks like finally getting his chance to make up for the tear-jerking day last season when he had to watch from the bench.

The versatile Wilson pulled his hamstring in training three days before the final and was forced on to the side- lines as Pompey went down 1-0.

But the former Manchester United youth will get his moment in the spotlight sooner than he could ever have imagined as Stoke tackle Manchester City in the final this Saturday.

And that is why he will spare a special thought for team-mate Danny Higginbotham if he trots out at Wembley – because he got his chance when the defender was ruled out for the season through injury.

Wilson said: “I can’t tell you the reason, if there is one, why I’ve never lost an FA Cup match. “It really is an odd one but there is no secret. I suppose I have just been very lucky but it certainly didn’t feel that way when I had to miss the final.”

Wilson tried to take positives from the shattering blow when he went down on the training ground and knew his dream was over last season.

He added: “It was hard missing the final. It was just one of those things. I did it in training but I had a little warning.

“I felt it in the previous game – there was a little pull but then it went properly in training. “I knew the hamstring probably wasn’t right when it happened but I just carried on because I just wanted to play.

“It was an absolutely gutting experience. The evening of the day it happened I was just absolutely demoralised.

“I just had to be as positive as I could. But all I could do was watch on and give them my support.” Bearing in mind that Wilson’s Wembley heartache came hot on the heels of being relegated with Pompey, it is not hard to see why he is desperate for the good luck charm to really prove its worth.

Portsmouth’s financial woes and battle to stay in business was always in danger of overshadowing any heroics on the pitch.

And Wilson admitted: “Towards the end it was hard at Portsmouth although we tried not to dwell on the stuff happening off the pitch.

“It’s not so hectic in that respect here at Stoke so I think we will be going into the game in a more settled state of mind.” Wilson also has nothing but sympathy for anyone who has to sit out the showpiece occasion."

Higginbotham and striker Ricardo Fuller are both definitely out through injury, while star players Matt Etherington and Robert Huth will both face agonising late fitness tests.

Etherington is struggling with a torn hamstring and defender Huth injured his knee at the weekend. He said: “I can certainly sympathise with Danny. I might play left-back in his place and so, yes, I can see some irony in that.

“He will be absolutely gutted but he will be there rooting for us and wishing the lads all the best.” Wilson will kiss his ‘Good Luck’ tattoo as he leaves the Wembley dressing room and he will be hoping that it can help him make it an incredible 15 wins on the spin.